• Tell me more about PawsTime.
• Why should I choose PawsTime?
• What is “wait marketing” and message on-hold?
• Does my practice really need message on-hold?
• Can’t I just play the radio or music CDs on hold instead?
• How do your on-hold messages work?
• How long is each message on-hold production?
• How long is each topic in the on-hold production?
• Do I have to write my own on-hold messages?
• How often should I change my messages?
• Can I pick the voice talent and music for my messages?
• How are the messages produced?
• How fast can you get us up and running?
• Is your on-hold system compatible with my telephones?
• Tell me about your on-hold playback equipment.
• Can I install the PawsTime message on-hold equipment myself?
• Is your playback equipment available to rent, lease or purchase?
• What if I own my own message on-hold equipment?
• How much do your programs cost?
• Do you charge a monthly fee?
• Other companies say they'll make monthly changes for free?
• What other Wait Marketing products do you offer?
• What are Video Brochures?
• Can I use a Video Brochure productions on a flat screen TV?
• I don't see my veterinary specialty.
• I don’t think we can afford your program right now.
• We’ll consider it when business picks up.
• We’re busy enough now. We don’t need new patients.
© 2008-2011 Wait Media. All Rights Reserved.
ABOUT US
MESSAGE ON HOLD (GENERAL QUESTIONS)
HOW OUR MESSAGE ON HOLD PROGRAM WORKS
MESSAGE ON HOLD (HARDWARE QUESTIONS)
AFFORDABILITY
VIDEO BROCHURES
STILL NOT CONVINCED? LEARN MORE!
Tell me more about PawsTime.
PawsTime is a team of experts, with years of expertise and experience providing internal marketing and wait marketing products to veterinary practices across the country. We help veterinarians promote their practices effectively from the inside and build and retain strong, lasting relationships with their clients and patients.
Back to top
Why should I choose PawsTime?
Not all message on-hold and wait marketing companies are created equally. The difference in our quality is not only in the sound and how PawsTime focuses exclusively on veterinary practices but also in how we care for our clients, how we pay attention to the details, and in the results you realize.
Back to top
What is “wait marketing” and message on-hold?
Wait Marketing takes the empty spaces when consumers are passing time, such as on hold on the telephone and in the waiting room, and fills the void with engaging information and compelling messages designed to educate, entertain and motivate callers to act. PawsTime focuses on two wait marketing products: Message On-Hold and Digital Viewing Brochures.
Back to top
Does my practice really need message on-hold?
On-hold messages are no longer just a nicety; they’re a necessity. Silence on-hold is rude and a poor reflection of the excellent client care you strive to offer in your practice every day. Believe the statistics: 60% of callers on hold to silence will hang up and 30% of first time callers who hang up to silence on hold will not call you back!
Back to top
Can’t I just play the radio or music CDs on hold instead?
In a word, no. It is illegal to play the radio on-hold. Playing the radio on-hold is considered “re-broadcasting” and license fees and fines can be assessed to violators. Likewise, playing music CDs from your personal collection is a violation of copyright laws. Fines and fees can be very expensive. These laws apply to all establishments, not just retailers. More information can be found from organizations like ASCAP or BMI. Besides, statistically, more than 80% of callers prefer on hold messages to music and silence. With PawsTime, all licensing fees for the music and performers we use in your Message On-Hold productions are included at no extra charge to you.
Back to top
How do your on-hold messages work?
Our 100% digital playback equipment plays your on-hold production (with a complete playlist of messages) in a continuous loop so callers hear professional messages every time they are placed on hold on any phone in your office. The messages do not start over from the beginning each time. This keeps the messages fresh and ensures callers hear a variety of different messages whenever they spend time on hold.
Back to top
How long is each message on-hold production?
Each of our custom on-hold productions is about 8 to 10 minutes long. Some companies offer 4 minute messages which are too short and can get too repetitive for repeat callers and lengthier on-hold waits. Other companies use 16 to 20 minute messages, which we deem too long and are mostly filled with “fluff” topics or “filler.”
Back to top
How long is each topic or spot on the message on-hold production?
An on-hold production is comprised of about 10 individual topics or spots. Each topic or spot in your production is about 25 to 30 seconds in length, which studies indicate is the ideal length to ensure callers understand and retain the information. Anything shorter or longer than that is just not as effective. We also use 10 to 15 seconds of transition time between spots to allow callers sufficient time to process and remember what they’ve heard.
Back to top
Do I have to write my own on-hold messages?
No. What you do best is practice medicine. Leave the writing to us! Once you sign up, this becomes our project, not yours. In fact, we ask very little of your time. Our creative department works personally with you every step of the way. We conduct a personal interview and create the playlist that best reflects the personality of your practice, your mission and philosophy of care, and what you want callers to know about you, your practice, your servicesand how you will care for their pets.
Back to top
How often should I change my messages?
In our experience through the years we have found that changing your messages every 3 months (quarterly) is the most effective. So we recommend a package of four productions to rotate quarterly. Think of your wait marketing campaign as an Audio Newsletter. You wouldn’t keep using the same old content over and over in a quarterly print newsletter would you? Now, we know that you will likely want your messages to cover many of the same topics from one production to the next. We recommend changing the way the topics are discussed to keep things fresh and provocative for your clients and to include seasonal topics and themes in your messages. And if anything ever changes, like you move, remodel, or add a new doctor, treatment, technology or service, we can update your messages accordingly.
Back to top
Can I pick the voice talent and music for my messages?
Sure! We offer an extensive selection of professional voice talent and background music for you to choose from to personalize each message on-hold production even further. We let you handpick male and/or female voices as well as music from a variety of genres and styles including: jazz, contemporary, new age, country, rock, classical, and holiday. There are no licensing fees. All professional voice and music licensing is included.
Back to top
How are the messages produced?
All of our messages are professionally recorded, mixed and produced in our own on-site studio. This allows for complete artistic and quality control and fast turnaround time. In the rare instance of a production containing a studio error, we will correct the production for free.
Back to top
How fast can you get us up and running?
In most cases you can have professional veterinary on-hold messages or digital viewing brochures playing in your office in just 3 to 5 days. Call us for details at 877-516-8220.
Back to top
Is your message on-hold system compatible with my practice phones?
Whether you have a professional phone system or phones from an office supply store, chances are you can play on-hold messages. Our digital message on-hold playback equipment is compatible with most phone systems. To find out if your phones are ready for message on-hold, please call our technical department at 877-516-8220 or email support@pawstime.com.
Back to top
Tell me more about your message on-hold playback equipment.
We use 100% digital technology for storing and playing messages to ensure reliable, continuous playback. You can easily download your on-hold messages to the removable USB Flash Drive supplied with your unit. There is no need for special software. We email you an MP3 audio file of your messages. Save the file to your computer’s hard drive, then simply “drag and drop” onto the USB Flash Drive. Our playback equipment is made in the USA and features a 3-year limited parts and labor warranty. We offer free ongoing technical support to ensure that the hardware is installed properly, messages are downloaded correctly, and that the playback unit continues to play messages clearly.
Back to top
Can I install the PawsTime message on-hold equipment myself?
Yes, you can! Our playback equipment is designed to install easily on your own. If you have a complex professional phone system, however, in some cases you may require an adaptor or need to hire a telecom professional to install the equipment.
Back to top
Is your message on-hold playback equipment available to rent, lease or purchase?
No rentals or leasing here. When you purchase you get brand-new, fully warrantied playback hardware and you own it.
Back to top
What if I own my own message on-hold equipment?
No problem! We don’t require that you purchase our playback hardware to have our professional messages working for you. We can still create custom on-hold messages for you and supply the audio files to you via CD or MP3 format.
Back to top
How much do your programs cost?
Our programs are more affordable than you might think. In fact, our clients have found that PawsTime internal marketing systems pay for themselves in just a few months because of the increased requests for services from client owners responding to their messages! But the bottom line is that we can create a program to fit virtually any budget and offer you extended payments, so you can have messages playing in your practice in as little as 3-5 days! Call us at 877-516-8220 for a quote and more details.
Back to top
Do you charge a monthly fee?
No we don’t, and for one simple reason: monthly fees cost you more in the long run. Unlike many other companies offering these services, we don’t believe in ongoing monthly charges. We create custom programs crafted specifically for your budget and practice needs and offer extended payments to make it easier and more affordable for you to get started. Monthly fees may seem more economical at first blush, but those fees add up and you will end up paying more for the same services. Call 877-516-8220 and we’ll explain the details and how we stack up against competitors.
Back to top
Other companies say they will make monthly or regular changes for free.
If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. And in this case other companies will offer to make frequent changes and updates to your messages for free. The truth is, in most cases they’re charging you an ongoing monthly fee so those “free” updates aren’t really free. And, frankly, for most practices updating messages more often than quarterly is overkill. Call us with any quotes you’ve received and we’ll be happy to review it for you and tell you exactly what that “deal” will cost you in the long run. We will help expose unnecessary costs from our competitors. And chances are we can beat it. Call us at 877-516-8220 for a complimentary quote review.
Back to top
What other Wait Marketing products do you offer in addition to Message On-Hold?
We also offer Video Brochures, an exciting and easy way to connect with your client owners and educate them with details and facts about the variety of treatments and services you offer their pets. Portable Plug-and-Play flexibility lets you place viewing stations anywhere clients wait in your practice – the exam room, reception lounge, and front desk. No networks, no hardware and no special wiring to install.
Back to top
What are Video Brochures?
Our Video Brochure productions take informative and educational audio messages (just like in our on-hold productions) and blend them with music and engaging images and effects to provide the perfect opportunity for you to extend your advice and expertise beyond the exam room. Our Video Brochures are engaging, conversational and friendly – never too clinical – and they motivate clients to ask questions, communicate concerns more effectively, and become better informed pet owners.
Back to top
Can I use Video Brochure productions with a flat screen TV?
Of course! Our custom Video Brochure productions are available for individual purchase in a DVD format. Call us for more information at 877-516-8220.
Back to top
I don’t see my veterinary specialty.
We’ve got you covered! PawsTime focuses exclusively on veterinary practices across all specialties and disciplines. The bulk of our clients are general practice veterinarians, however we write custom scripting for any veterinary specialty. And since our creative process for specialty vets includes a personal interview and custom scripting, we can create specialized messages for even the most unique practice.
Back to top
I don’t think we can afford your program right now.
In this economy you can’t afford not to use wait marketing and message on-hold. Silence on hold and in your waiting room is costing you business right now! PawsTime Message On-Hold and Digital Viewing Brochures are more affordable and easier to implement than you many think. In fact, our clients have found that their PawsTime internal marketing systems pay for themselves in just a few months because of the increased requests for services from clients responding to their messages! We also offer flexible and convenient payment options and we will create a package that precisely fits your budget and practice building goals.
Back to top
We’ll consider it when business picks up.
“New” business is sitting right there in the form of your existing client owners. Wait marketing and message on-hold helps you connect with your own clients so they know more about all of your services so they can add on treatments for their pets and refer friends and family effectively.
Back to top
We’re busy enough now. We don’t need new patients.
Don’t kid yourself, you need new patients. Or at the very least you need your current clients to continue bringing their pets in and/or accepting new treatments. The 80/20 rule says that 80% of your business comes from about 20% of your clients. Or that 80% of your new patients are referred by 20% of your existing patients. All the more reason to keep your existing clients engaged, informed satisfied and loyal, even if you’re not looking to add new patients. A more successful practice isn’t always the result of more patients. It’s about doing more of the procedures you love doing and what keeps your patients happy, healthy and coming back.
Back to top
PawsTime is a team of experts, with years of expertise and experience providing internal marketing and wait marketing products to veterinary practices across the country. We help veterinarians promote their practices effectively from the inside and build and retain strong, lasting relationships with their clients and patients.
Back to top
Why should I choose PawsTime?
Not all message on-hold and wait marketing companies are created equally. The difference in our quality is not only in the sound and how PawsTime focuses exclusively on veterinary practices but also in how we care for our clients, how we pay attention to the details, and in the results you realize.
Back to top
What is “wait marketing” and message on-hold?
Wait Marketing takes the empty spaces when consumers are passing time, such as on hold on the telephone and in the waiting room, and fills the void with engaging information and compelling messages designed to educate, entertain and motivate callers to act. PawsTime focuses on two wait marketing products: Message On-Hold and Digital Viewing Brochures.
Back to top
Does my practice really need message on-hold?
On-hold messages are no longer just a nicety; they’re a necessity. Silence on-hold is rude and a poor reflection of the excellent client care you strive to offer in your practice every day. Believe the statistics: 60% of callers on hold to silence will hang up and 30% of first time callers who hang up to silence on hold will not call you back!
Back to top
Can’t I just play the radio or music CDs on hold instead?
In a word, no. It is illegal to play the radio on-hold. Playing the radio on-hold is considered “re-broadcasting” and license fees and fines can be assessed to violators. Likewise, playing music CDs from your personal collection is a violation of copyright laws. Fines and fees can be very expensive. These laws apply to all establishments, not just retailers. More information can be found from organizations like ASCAP or BMI. Besides, statistically, more than 80% of callers prefer on hold messages to music and silence. With PawsTime, all licensing fees for the music and performers we use in your Message On-Hold productions are included at no extra charge to you.
Back to top
How do your on-hold messages work?
Our 100% digital playback equipment plays your on-hold production (with a complete playlist of messages) in a continuous loop so callers hear professional messages every time they are placed on hold on any phone in your office. The messages do not start over from the beginning each time. This keeps the messages fresh and ensures callers hear a variety of different messages whenever they spend time on hold.
Back to top
How long is each message on-hold production?
Each of our custom on-hold productions is about 8 to 10 minutes long. Some companies offer 4 minute messages which are too short and can get too repetitive for repeat callers and lengthier on-hold waits. Other companies use 16 to 20 minute messages, which we deem too long and are mostly filled with “fluff” topics or “filler.”
Back to top
How long is each topic or spot on the message on-hold production?
An on-hold production is comprised of about 10 individual topics or spots. Each topic or spot in your production is about 25 to 30 seconds in length, which studies indicate is the ideal length to ensure callers understand and retain the information. Anything shorter or longer than that is just not as effective. We also use 10 to 15 seconds of transition time between spots to allow callers sufficient time to process and remember what they’ve heard.
Back to top
Do I have to write my own on-hold messages?
No. What you do best is practice medicine. Leave the writing to us! Once you sign up, this becomes our project, not yours. In fact, we ask very little of your time. Our creative department works personally with you every step of the way. We conduct a personal interview and create the playlist that best reflects the personality of your practice, your mission and philosophy of care, and what you want callers to know about you, your practice, your servicesand how you will care for their pets.
Back to top
How often should I change my messages?
In our experience through the years we have found that changing your messages every 3 months (quarterly) is the most effective. So we recommend a package of four productions to rotate quarterly. Think of your wait marketing campaign as an Audio Newsletter. You wouldn’t keep using the same old content over and over in a quarterly print newsletter would you? Now, we know that you will likely want your messages to cover many of the same topics from one production to the next. We recommend changing the way the topics are discussed to keep things fresh and provocative for your clients and to include seasonal topics and themes in your messages. And if anything ever changes, like you move, remodel, or add a new doctor, treatment, technology or service, we can update your messages accordingly.
Back to top
Can I pick the voice talent and music for my messages?
Sure! We offer an extensive selection of professional voice talent and background music for you to choose from to personalize each message on-hold production even further. We let you handpick male and/or female voices as well as music from a variety of genres and styles including: jazz, contemporary, new age, country, rock, classical, and holiday. There are no licensing fees. All professional voice and music licensing is included.
Back to top
How are the messages produced?
All of our messages are professionally recorded, mixed and produced in our own on-site studio. This allows for complete artistic and quality control and fast turnaround time. In the rare instance of a production containing a studio error, we will correct the production for free.
Back to top
How fast can you get us up and running?
In most cases you can have professional veterinary on-hold messages or digital viewing brochures playing in your office in just 3 to 5 days. Call us for details at 877-516-8220.
Back to top
Is your message on-hold system compatible with my practice phones?
Whether you have a professional phone system or phones from an office supply store, chances are you can play on-hold messages. Our digital message on-hold playback equipment is compatible with most phone systems. To find out if your phones are ready for message on-hold, please call our technical department at 877-516-8220 or email support@pawstime.com.
Back to top
Tell me more about your message on-hold playback equipment.
We use 100% digital technology for storing and playing messages to ensure reliable, continuous playback. You can easily download your on-hold messages to the removable USB Flash Drive supplied with your unit. There is no need for special software. We email you an MP3 audio file of your messages. Save the file to your computer’s hard drive, then simply “drag and drop” onto the USB Flash Drive. Our playback equipment is made in the USA and features a 3-year limited parts and labor warranty. We offer free ongoing technical support to ensure that the hardware is installed properly, messages are downloaded correctly, and that the playback unit continues to play messages clearly.
Back to top
Can I install the PawsTime message on-hold equipment myself?
Yes, you can! Our playback equipment is designed to install easily on your own. If you have a complex professional phone system, however, in some cases you may require an adaptor or need to hire a telecom professional to install the equipment.
Back to top
Is your message on-hold playback equipment available to rent, lease or purchase?
No rentals or leasing here. When you purchase you get brand-new, fully warrantied playback hardware and you own it.
Back to top
What if I own my own message on-hold equipment?
No problem! We don’t require that you purchase our playback hardware to have our professional messages working for you. We can still create custom on-hold messages for you and supply the audio files to you via CD or MP3 format.
Back to top
How much do your programs cost?
Our programs are more affordable than you might think. In fact, our clients have found that PawsTime internal marketing systems pay for themselves in just a few months because of the increased requests for services from client owners responding to their messages! But the bottom line is that we can create a program to fit virtually any budget and offer you extended payments, so you can have messages playing in your practice in as little as 3-5 days! Call us at 877-516-8220 for a quote and more details.
Back to top
Do you charge a monthly fee?
No we don’t, and for one simple reason: monthly fees cost you more in the long run. Unlike many other companies offering these services, we don’t believe in ongoing monthly charges. We create custom programs crafted specifically for your budget and practice needs and offer extended payments to make it easier and more affordable for you to get started. Monthly fees may seem more economical at first blush, but those fees add up and you will end up paying more for the same services. Call 877-516-8220 and we’ll explain the details and how we stack up against competitors.
Back to top
Other companies say they will make monthly or regular changes for free.
If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. And in this case other companies will offer to make frequent changes and updates to your messages for free. The truth is, in most cases they’re charging you an ongoing monthly fee so those “free” updates aren’t really free. And, frankly, for most practices updating messages more often than quarterly is overkill. Call us with any quotes you’ve received and we’ll be happy to review it for you and tell you exactly what that “deal” will cost you in the long run. We will help expose unnecessary costs from our competitors. And chances are we can beat it. Call us at 877-516-8220 for a complimentary quote review.
Back to top
What other Wait Marketing products do you offer in addition to Message On-Hold?
We also offer Video Brochures, an exciting and easy way to connect with your client owners and educate them with details and facts about the variety of treatments and services you offer their pets. Portable Plug-and-Play flexibility lets you place viewing stations anywhere clients wait in your practice – the exam room, reception lounge, and front desk. No networks, no hardware and no special wiring to install.
Back to top
What are Video Brochures?
Our Video Brochure productions take informative and educational audio messages (just like in our on-hold productions) and blend them with music and engaging images and effects to provide the perfect opportunity for you to extend your advice and expertise beyond the exam room. Our Video Brochures are engaging, conversational and friendly – never too clinical – and they motivate clients to ask questions, communicate concerns more effectively, and become better informed pet owners.
Back to top
Can I use Video Brochure productions with a flat screen TV?
Of course! Our custom Video Brochure productions are available for individual purchase in a DVD format. Call us for more information at 877-516-8220.
Back to top
I don’t see my veterinary specialty.
We’ve got you covered! PawsTime focuses exclusively on veterinary practices across all specialties and disciplines. The bulk of our clients are general practice veterinarians, however we write custom scripting for any veterinary specialty. And since our creative process for specialty vets includes a personal interview and custom scripting, we can create specialized messages for even the most unique practice.
Back to top
I don’t think we can afford your program right now.
In this economy you can’t afford not to use wait marketing and message on-hold. Silence on hold and in your waiting room is costing you business right now! PawsTime Message On-Hold and Digital Viewing Brochures are more affordable and easier to implement than you many think. In fact, our clients have found that their PawsTime internal marketing systems pay for themselves in just a few months because of the increased requests for services from clients responding to their messages! We also offer flexible and convenient payment options and we will create a package that precisely fits your budget and practice building goals.
Back to top
We’ll consider it when business picks up.
“New” business is sitting right there in the form of your existing client owners. Wait marketing and message on-hold helps you connect with your own clients so they know more about all of your services so they can add on treatments for their pets and refer friends and family effectively.
Back to top
We’re busy enough now. We don’t need new patients.
Don’t kid yourself, you need new patients. Or at the very least you need your current clients to continue bringing their pets in and/or accepting new treatments. The 80/20 rule says that 80% of your business comes from about 20% of your clients. Or that 80% of your new patients are referred by 20% of your existing patients. All the more reason to keep your existing clients engaged, informed satisfied and loyal, even if you’re not looking to add new patients. A more successful practice isn’t always the result of more patients. It’s about doing more of the procedures you love doing and what keeps your patients happy, healthy and coming back.
Back to top
